There is no question that the greatest title I have been assigned outside of son of the Most High God and husband to your mom is that of ‘dad.’  I desired for my Southern kids to call me ‘daddy,’ but quickly realized that my personality and temperament lend more to the ‘dad’ acknowledgement.  And I love it with all that I am.

Our kids are wonderful human beings.  Acknowledgment to their mom.  They are beautiful.  Independent.  Capable.  Loving.  Filled with dreams and expectations.  They are marvelous.

Benton, Malia & Kensley:

Be willing to be sorry.  There is no competition in life that measures whoever is sorry least, wins.  Love others enough to fall in the sword.  Be a peacemaker as the storm rages.

Hang out with people willing to be sorry.  Know that every human being is flawed and will make mistakes and disappoint you at some time in your life.  Align with the ones willing to be sorry.  It’s exhausting hanging with people committed to being right or winning all the time.

Be a risk taker in the things where risk is worth well, the risk.  Take a risk on relationship with others.  Take a risk on your career.  Take a risk on trying new things.  Take a risk on independence and walking your own path.  Take a risk that the life God has planned for you may not be the life the World encourages.  Know that there is zero risk in a life surrendered to Christ.

Recognize truth.  Understand there is no ‘my truth’ or ‘your truth.’  Don’t fall for the social fads of political movements or generational ideologies of conceptual truth.  The truth is God does not make mistakes.  Sin encourages confusion.  The truth is you are perfectly and wonderfully made.  The World desired for you to doubt this.  The truth is the Maker of all things is with you always.  ‘Dis-social’ media desires you to doubt this.  The truth is you are loved by the only love that matters, the love of Jesus who valued you enough to die for you so that he can live with you for eternity.

Guard against the cynicism that is coming with the emergence of AI.  By its very name, recognize what is artificial and what is intelligence.  You are the first generation that will doubt what you see.  The statement “who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes” has never been more relevant.  Always stand on the promise “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

Choose love.  Your precious heart will be hurt.  Love anyway.  Your beautiful trust will be betrayed.  Love anyway.  Your expectations will be bruised.  Love anyway.  A life with living will experience emotional and physical pain.  Love because your love is the greatest gift you can ever give.  Love because love is the greatest healing salve you can ever apply to someone’s heart.

Value others because they are equally valuable.  God knew you before you were in mom’s belly.  He also knew every person around you.  You are so, so special…but so is every other person in this life.  Treat them as you want to be treated.  Honor them as you deserve to be honored.  Acknowledge your high worth by assigning others the high worth they deserve.

Recognize the limitations of your dad, who desired to be a limitless father to you.  I don’t know why God gave you to me as my son and daughters, but I m so incredibly grateful that he did.  You know my many flaws.  I pray you know my never-ending love for you.  I admire you.  I am thankful for you.  I adore you.  I am amazed by you.  I am so proud of you.  I love you.

Thank you for making me a father and teaching me daily how to be a dad.